Much as we dislike the substance of the Democrats’ promises, as Republican Rep. Tom Reed’s flirtation with voting for the Democratic rules package demonstrates, it is hard to argue with the appeal of politicians who actually do what they say they will do, even if what they promise is a disaster waiting to happen.

Don’t expect Americans to greet “new” Speaker Nancy Pelosi with smiles and embraces. Pelosi hasn’t changed from a decade ago when she was one of the most despised politicians in the country. Lovers of limited government should see her as a worthy antagonist -- and then oppose everything she does.

#NeverTrumpers like Mitt Romney won’t ever get onboard with the conservative agenda. The swamp dwelling ruling elites are too preoccupied with preserving their own power and playing nice with the opposition to “do the right thing.” Trump will be Trump -- and he’ll win in the end.

The always festive New Year’s celebrations were the calm before the storm where 2019’s political battles are concerned. 2018’s strife only figures to worsen now that liberals feel empowered to act on their aims. Democrats happily wall themselves off from reality -- an impossibility in 2019.

The Republicans could have done something to further the cause of immigration enforcement that a majority of American voters clearly support. Unfortunately, though, the cowards have opted instead to adhere to the wishes of the oligarchs who fund most Republican political activities these days. The GOP has decided to allow the clock to run down and Donald Trump, the president that most of them hate with extreme prejudice (more than the Democrats do), to look bad. Trump cannot waver, even in the face of horrible GOP opposition. Ultimately, the GOP is not on Trump’s side any more than the Democrats are. If Trump cannot deliver on key victories heading into 2020, he will be seen as weak and vulnerable. America needs a real border wall now.

DC elites were thrown into a tizzy when Trump won two years ago and looked perplexed as he laid out his America First vision during his inaugural address. This refusal to confront the reality of Trump isn’t likely to dissipate when Democrats take power in the House. How’s that for a prediction?

By now President Trump realizes it’s not fun being in the White House, but nobody ever claimed it'd be easy (except for maybe him). It took decades for the Washington establishment to control government and they won’t be vanquished without a long battle. Trump is up to the job.

Talk will continue on possible ways to fix the shattered American political system but in today’s highly divided culture and society, a workable solution doesn’t appear evident. If neither side seems willing to compromise, there are good reasons for it. Conservatives won’t get their hopes up.

President Trump’s decision to withdraw from Syria will certainly draw more than its share of comment even at this calm (from a news standpoint) time of year. Christmas presents a chance to ponder the concept of peace on earth, goodwill towards men -- never more so than in 2018.

Life without Donald Trump as president wouldn’t be as clear cut wonderful as liberals would have you think. Saturday Night Live can do all the ridiculous skits in the world and it still doesn’t change the fact we’re living in a complex place and it requires capable people to lead. Trump fits the bill.

Few conservatives will miss Bill Kristol’s The Weekly Standard now that it’s gone. The defunct publication was a glaring example of how not to conduct a successful enterprise; by alienating those inclined to support them, the magazine guaranteed its own demise. Let’s hope the same fate doesn’t befall Trump.

When government oversteps its bounds there’s invariably a popular uprising to combat it. Be it the Boston Tea Party in 1773, the modern-day Tea Party movement or this year’s anti-gas tax protests in Paris, the people don’t take it kindly when political elites dictate and condescend.

If Republican ruling elites are truly terrified over Trump’s threat to shutdown the government, they must accept it’s their own inactions that brought on the confrontation. They can use the coming days to salvage a little dignity and give Americans a Christmas gift -- a big beautiful wall protecting them.

With the downing of Obamacare last week Republicans now have a golden opportunity to make something worthwhile out of the last days of this lame duck session. With budget talks stalled over the border wall there’s something new to talk about and accomplish if they’ll only take advantage.

If you look close enough Republicans don’t need an “autopsy” or excessive soul-searching to indicate what party candidates should do ahead of the next election. A thorough reexamination of conservative principles and proposals would do the trick nicely…and while they’re at it, select new leaders too.

President Trump’s orchestrated negotiation session with Democrat leaders the other day was a stroke of brilliance. Politically speaking, Trump can’t lose here: if he gets money for the wall it’s another campaign promise fulfilled. If he doesn’t, he can run against the stagnant DC swamp again in 2020.

Trump will need to work harder than ever to steal media attention away from the certain-to-be-fascinating Democrat presidential primary race in 2020. The crazy and eclectic cast of Democrats are destined to provide entertainment of the highest order. Will Americans tune in or tune out?

It's unfortunate that one bad apple like Jeff Flake can spoil the whole bunch (in this case, President Trump’s judicial nominees). Even worse, there are tons of equally sour fruits in the nation’s capital, begging for a swamp draining mission of epic proportions. Is Trump up to the task?

The list of Donald Trump’s former staffers is growing by the day and his swampy establishment enemies swear the body count is a sign of instability and danger. But the sun will rise tomorrow and the administration forges on, another non-boring day in the life of the Trump presidency.

President Trump could face a struggling economy in 2020, but there are ways to ensure things run smoothly when the moment arrives. Keeping interest rates low, encouraging clean natural gas production and repealing federal control of the legal drinking age might help the GOP.